Government grants support 77 farm projects

Close to $5 million has funded 77 projects through round one of Smart Farm Small Grants.

This Australian Government program offers $50 million in grants for on-ground projects to support the adoption of practices that improve the management and quality of our natural resources and on-farm productivity.

Round one of the grants is funding a range of projects including ones looking at soil health, weed control, water security and climate smart farming. In addition, other successful projects included:

• Bee friendly farms–this project will fly drones above NSW macadamia orchards in order to map the native bee habitat.
• Wildfire response – farmers across Australian rangelands will be better prepared for wildfires through a new mobile app based on the North Australia Fire Information website.

Pressures on Australia’s natural resources can limit the viability and productivity of Australia’s farming, fishery, aquaculture and forestry industries.

These industries are looking to trial and implement new and innovative technologies and tools that will reduce these pressures while increasing their productivity and profitability.

In response to these needs, the Australian Government established the Small Grants program under the Smart Farms initiative, an agriculture component of the National Landcare Program (NLP).

Grants are available to support local on-ground projects across Australia that increase the knowledge and capacity of farmers and fishers and facilitate the adoption of tools, technologies and improved land management practices to effectively, sustainably and productively manage Australia’s natural resources and adapt to significant changes in climate, weather and markets.

A further five annual rounds will operate under this program, with the next call for applications expected in 2018-19.

For more information about the next round, visit agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/natural-resources/landcare/national-landcare-program.